Simply R… Read Full Bio ↴Simply Red is an English pop band, formed in the mid 1980s.
Simply Red's roots originate from the notorious 1976 Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Manchester art student Mick Hucknall was one of the many young music fans present (along with original members of The Fall, Joy Division, The Smiths and Buzzcocks) who was inspired to form a band after witnessing that gig. The first incarnation of the band was a punk group called The Frantic Elevators. This band existed for 7 years, with limited releases on local labels, but split in 1984 with only limited local attention and critical acclaim for their final single, "Holding Back the Years".
After the demise of the Frantic Elevators, Hucknall linked up with manager Elliot Rashman. By early 1985 Hucknall and Rashman had assembled a band of local session musicians and began to attract record company attention. Around this time the group adopted the name Simply Red (after Hucknall's nickname, which denoted hair color, football allegiance to Manchester United and left-wing political affiliation). They signed to Elektra in 1985, with the somewhat changeable line-up of Hucknall, Tony Bowers (bass), Fritz McIntyre (keyboards), Tim Kellett (brass), Sylvan Richardson (guitar) and Chris Joyce (drums). Their first single, released in 1985, was "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)", a cover of a soul standard originally recorded by The Valentine Brothers. This single had moderate success, reaching the UK Top 20.
In 1986 the band re-recorded "Holding Back The Years", the Frantic Elevators' biggest hit, in a more accessible pop style with adjustments in lyrics and instrumentation. The tune became a major hit, peaking at #2 in Great Britain and later #1 in the United States, and established Simply Red as a household name. Their debut album, 'Picture Book', which had been released previously in 1985, began to sell more copies, and it became an international hit album, with multi-platinum certification.
Their second album, 1987's "Men and Women", saw the band adopting a more sober and professional image, with bowler hats and colorful suits replacing their earlier ragamuffin look, and the introspection and social commentary of their debut replaced by a blue-eyed soul sound with funk influences. Around this time Hucknall became a tabloid personality, drawing attention and criticism for his alleged womanising, and gaining a reputation as "a lecherous loudmouth" and bien pensant. Despite Hucknall's bad reputation and the album's bad reviews, or perhaps as a result of them, Men and Women was a commercial success.
With their third album "A New Flame", Simply Red adopted a yet more mainstream populist sound aimed for commercial rather than critical success, typified by their cover of Harold Melvin's pop classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now", which became their second U.S. #1 hit and one of the biggest singles of the year internationally. Hucknall was by this time an international superstar, being photographed with models and Hollywood celebrities. This seemed to harm the band's coherence as a unit, with Hucknall declaring in 1991 that Simply Red was "essentially a solo project".
The band's popular career peaked later that year with the release of "Stars", which became the best-selling album for two years running in Europe and the UK (though notably had far less success in the US than their previous albums). "Stars" mixed Hucknall's anti-Thatcherite political lyrics with an easy-listening lounge-jazz sound, apparently to avoid alienation of their existing fanbase.
After touring and promoting "Stars" for two years, Simply Red returned in 1995 with "Fairground", a dance-influenced track featuring prominently a sample from Zki & Dobri's Goodmen project. A massive radio hit, "Fairground" went on to become the band’s first British #1, amid critical panning. Its parent album 'Life' sold more than a million copies in the UK alone, making it the fourth-biggest seller of the year. The band followed this up with cover heavy 'Blue' in 1998 and 'Love and the Russian Winter'. After 'Love and the Russian Winter' they left EastWest and Hucknall set up his own record label simplyred.com where he released "Home" in 2003, a mixture of mostly original songs and covers, including a version of The Stylistics song "You Make Me Feel Brand New". "Simplified" followed in 2005, mainly an album of stripped down versions of their Classic hits.
The single "Oh! What A Girl!" released in September 2006 from their album Stay, their 10th, released on 12 March 2007. This was preceded by the single “So Not Over You”, released on 5 March 2007. The third single from the album was the title song "Stay", released on 28 May 2007. The fourth and the last single of Simply Red single , "The World And You Tonight", was released in November 2007.
Mick Hucknall announced that the band were due to split in 2009, after a farewell tour.
"I've kind of decided that the 25 years is going to be enough, so I intend that the 2009 will be the last Simply Red tour."
"I've just recorded an album that is a tribute to Bobby Bland, a blues and R'n'B artist. It's a solo project and I've really enjoyed it so much that I feel the time has come now to just put a book-end to the story and the album Stay will be the last Simply Red studio album."
Say You Love Me
Simply Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Being one of those grains of sand
I get blown all around the world
And what I make of it
Oh I don't know
What's the meaning of it
Oh I don't know
I've been around so many times
That the world's turning in my mind
What do I think of it
Oh it's so-so
What more can you be
Than the things they say you've been
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Just say you love me
Just say you love me
I never ever realized
It's so easy to make you cry
But did I break a bit
Oh I hope no
Have you forgot about it
Oh I hope so
But you never ever wonder why
In every single pair of eyes
There is a hunger in it
Or it's soul dies
What more can you be
Than the things they say you've been
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Just say you love me
Come on now darling, say you love me (say you)
Oh yeah, say you love me (say you)
Please, please say you love me
Come on say you love me
Say it, say it baby, now, now, now
Just say you love me
The lyrics of Simply Red's song "Say You Love Me" explore the uncertainty and confusion that comes with living in a constantly changing world. The singer of the song recognizes that he is just a small grain of sand being blown around by the winds of fate. He questions the meaning of it all, admitting that he doesn't really know what to make of the world or his place in it. Despite his confusion, however, he longs for a simple affirmation of love from someone he cares about.
The second verse delves more into the singer's emotions, revealing that he has caused pain to the person he loves and worries that he has damaged their relationship irreparably. He hopes they have forgotten about his mistake and wants to believe that the hunger for connection he sees in people's eyes isn't replaced by sadness due to disappointment.
The chorus serves as a desperate plea for love and affection, regardless of gender or any other factors. The singer is asking his loved one to declare their love for him, to hold him and never let go because that is all he really wants.
In summary, "Say You Love Me" deals with themes of love, confusion, and a search for meaning in a constantly-changing world. The lyrics suggest that even though life is unpredictable and sometimes painful, love is an essential part of what makes it all worthwhile.
Line by Line Meaning
Being one of those grains of sand
Feeling lost and insignificant in the vastness of the world.
I get blown all around the world
Feeling tossed around and without direction in life.
And what I make of it
Questioning what purpose or meaning there is to life.
Oh I don't know
Admitting uncertainty or confusion about life's purpose.
I've been around so many times
Having experienced much of what life has to offer.
That the world's turning in my mind
Contemplating the complexities and meaning of life.
What do I think of it
Questioning personal opinion or sentiment about life.
Oh it's so-so
Expressing an indifferent or ambivalent attitude towards life.
What more can you be
Asking what more there is to a person's identity or character than what they are perceived to be.
Than the things they say you've been
Challenging stereotypes or external expectations of who a person is.
Say you love me all around the world
Seeking affirmation and affection from others, regardless of location or identity.
Stay and hug me all around the world
Desiring physical comfort, support, and connection from others.
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Asserting that love and affection are not limited by gender or identity.
I never ever realized
Realizing too late the impact of one's actions.
It's so easy to make you cry
Feeling guilty or regretful for causing emotional pain to someone else.
But did I break a bit
Wondering if the conflict or pain has caused damage to a relationship or oneself.
Oh I hope no
Expressing a desire or hope that the damage is not permanent.
Have you forgot about it
Questioning whether a past conflict or hurt has been resolved or forgotten.
Oh I hope so
Expressing a hopeful attitude towards reconciliation or forgiveness.
But you never wonder why
Observing how others may be blinded by their own emotions or needs.
In every single pair of eyes
Noticing how everyone has their own unique perspective or experiences.
There is a hunger in it
Suggesting that everyone is searching for something, whether physical or emotional sustenance.
Or it's soul dies
Imagining the effects of ignoring or neglecting one's own needs for connection or love.
Come on now darling, say you love me (say you)
Making a direct plea for emotional affirmation and connection from a loved one.
Oh yeah, say you love me (say you)
Reiterating the desire for emotional affirmation and connection from a loved one.
Please, please say you love me
Desperately seeking reassurance and connection from a loved one.
Just say you love me
Simplifying the request to its essential need: love and connection.
Say it, say it baby, now, now, now
Using urgency and directness to emphasize the need for emotional connection and affirmation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL JAMES HUCKNALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlanunes8596
Being one of those grains of sand
I get blown all around the world
And what I make of it
Oh I don't know
What's the meaning of it
Oh I don't know
I've been around so many times
That the world's turning in my mind
What do I think of it
Oh it's so-so
What more can you be
Than the things they say you've been
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Just say you love me
Just say you love me
I never ever realized
It's so easy to make you cry
But did I break a bit
Oh I hope no
Have you forgot about it
Oh I hope so
But you never ever wonder why
In every single pair of eyes
There is a hunger in it
Or it's soul dies
What more can you be
Than the things they say you've been
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Say you love me all around the world
Stay and hug me all around the world
Be yours a boy or be mine a girl
Just say you love me
Come on now darling, say you love me (say you)
Oh yeah, say you love me (say you)
Please, please say you love me
Come on say you love me
Say it, say it baby, now, now, now
Just say you love me
@mohafzal2790
Going to school in the bus listening to this on the radio, life was simple back then
@reginapaisremalou
Very beautiful song.... Love
@karinli6450
SAY YOU LOVE ME!!! Always get to be so bright & light in my body listenig to Simple Red. "Say you Love me" all around the world. :D <3 <3 <3
@NeLzHenrie
Good music.. please bring back good music like this again..
@terencewoodcock2006
What a beautiful classic. Still as fresh as when it was first released.
@marisealonso3692
Wow .., this a great song
@airlanggarifky5619
so nice so beautiful..thanks Red..
@marcinhaUK
I saw his performance at Edinburgh Castle, he sung this song, it was magic!
@alexleke1988
Quem sentiu um arrepio da um joinha!
@johndumpleton9195
pure magic..........